About Us

Leveraging Entrepreneurship To Address Economic Disparities

Solving for key economic disparities based on data insights uncovered within the communities we serve

Our Mission

To build the highest potential, scalable businesses that catalyze employment and economic opportunities for underserved populations while stimulating the broader regional and national economy

Curtis Holis | COO

Our History & Impact

A Legacy Of Economic Advancement

For over 20 years, The Cincinnati Business Excellerator (CBE), formerly the Minority Business Accelerator, has been committed to closing the wealth gap by supporting scalable economic parity businesses. From launching with just 20 portfolio firms in 2003 to driving over $2B in local impact, our journey reflects a deep dedication to economic advancement and empowerment.

Foundation & Early Momentum

2003–2008

Launched in 2003 by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber with 20 portfolio firms, the initiative quickly gained momentum. In 2004, a $100M corporate spend campaign was introduced, followed by $72.8M in economic impact and 117 new jobs created in 2005. The following year saw 15 major deals, including acquisitions and alliances, and by 2007, six minority-owned firms had become Chamber partners. By 2008, over $400M in goods and services were sourced from local founders—a 30% increase.

Strategic Growth

2009–2014

In 2009, we supported eight firms with strategic consulting and succession planning and expanded our portfolio in 2010 to include Hispanic-owned businesses. By 2011, regional organizations with minority spend goals increased by 8%. In 2012, 31 partners spent $771M with Featured Firms, and by 2013, portfolio firm revenues doubled within five years. In 2014, we launched the L. Ross Love GrowthBridge Fund to deepen capital access.

Regional Leadership

2015–2018

Between 2015 and 2018, goal-setter firms surpassed $1 billion in targeted spend, achieving an average growth rate of 24%. In 2016, Darrin Redus joined as Vice President and delivered testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business Growth. The following years marked significant expansion a four-pillar {Grow, Build, Attract, Create} strategy, the expansion of the Cincinnati Minority Business Collaborative (CMBC), and the establishment of the J. Phillip Holloman Endowment Fund all catalyzed by a host of regional and national partners.

National Recognition & Resilience

2019–2021

From 2019 to 2021, Cincinnati was recognized among the top 10 metros for minority entrepreneurship. In 2020, the organization collaborated with the Kauffman Foundation to publish the Accelerator Playbook and responded rapidly to the challenges of COVID-19, which contributed to not a single portfolio company being shuttered from the pandemic. By 2021, new milestones included a partnership with the Brookings Institution, the launch of the Business Enterprise Series, and securing a $1.5 million federal grant to support the Black Achievers initiative, while further informing national replication in discussions with over 30 cities.

Fund Development & Legacy

2022–2023

In 2022, the organization launched MBA Fund I (now the ETA Fund), setting a minimum $25 million investment capital target to advance minority business growth, through business acquisitions and growth equity capital. The following year, 2023, marked a major milestone, celebrating 20 years of impact and surpassing $2 billion in aggregated economic impact across its network of portfolio companies.

Our Evolution

Fueling Midwest Growth with $26M in Capital

The Cincinnati Business Excellerator (CBE), formerly the Minority Business Accelerator, has supported BIPOC founders for over 22 years through strategic partnerships, advisory services, and preparation for access to growth capital and new business opportunities. Backed by investment partners, we’ve raised $26M for our inaugural ETA Fund to deploy into acquisition-ready businesses in underserved Midwest markets. Alongside capital, we provide hands-on guidance to ensure founders are prepared to receive and manage equity investment.

What We Provide

Execution & National Replication

Our model is widely recognized as a national blueprint for scaling high potential businesses and entrepreneurs to address longstanding economic disparities. Today, it has been adopted or utilized by various cities across the U.S., helping to scale businesses, close the racial wealth gap, and drive local economic growth and expansion. Our reach now includes active application work in the following cities, to name a few:

New York
Greenville
Boston
Tampa
Pittsburgh
Wilmington
Houston
Grand Rapids

In The News

Tracking Progress.
Celebrating Impact.

Articles

The Power of PR: Leveraging Media to Spotlight How Cincinnati is Working to Close the Racial Entrepreneurship Gap

In 2020, our country faced two unprecedented challenges: The COVID-19 pandemic and a national movement for racial justice. And while the pandemic deeply affected businesses of all kinds everywhere, racial disparity in business ownership has roots that run deep.

October 30, 2025

Articles

KeyBank Invests $300,000 in Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator

The Accelerator will serve as a "one stop shop" to provide a comprehensive set of support resources to the emerging minority business enterprises

October 2, 2024

Annual Reports

2022 – 2023 Annual Report | Celebrating 20 years of Growth and Expansion of High Potential Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs)

In this report, you will learn about our strides to develop our first Investment Fund as we look to provide equity and debt based capital to Minority Business Enterprises in the Cincinnati and Midwest region. With it being our 20th Anniversary, we highlight the work we have done and the growth achievements of our high potential Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs).

March 4, 2024